The holidays are a time for family, friends, and of course, delicious food. If you're looking for a quick and easy appetizer that will impress your guests, look no further than the Christmas pine cone cheese ball. This festive treat is made with just a few simple ingredients, and it can be assembled in minutes. The best part is, it looks just like a pine cone, making it perfect for a winter party.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
PINE CONE CHEESE BALL
Any cheese ball is a welcome addition to a holiday party spread, but when you bring one that looks like a pine cone, you're talking about a real showstopper.
Provided by Chef John
Categories Appetizers and Snacks Dips and Spreads Recipes Cheese Dips and Spreads Recipes Cheese Ball Recipes
Time 30m
Yield 16
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Stir cream cheese, goat cheese, parsley, tarragon, thyme, garlic, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper together in a bowl until smooth and well-mixed.
- Turn cheese mixture out onto a serving platter and form into a tapered oval shape to resemble a pine cone.
- Starting at the tapered end, press almonds into the cheese cone so that the tip of the almond is facing out and down, and cheese cone is completely covered with almonds and resembles a pine cone. Place rosemary sprigs at the top to resemble pine needles.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 175.9 calories, Carbohydrate 2.9 g, Cholesterol 36.4 mg, Fat 16.4 g, Fiber 1.1 g, Protein 5.6 g, SaturatedFat 8 g, Sodium 129.7 mg, Sugar 0.7 g
THE HEAVYSET CHEESE BALL
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.
- Place and spread all the almonds on a cookie sheet or in a shallow pan, pushing the almonds around until they turn color, about 20 minutes.
- Mix together the cream cheese and the mayonnaise. Add the bacon, salt and pepper, dill, and onion. Chill overnight.
- On a serving platter, make 2 pine cone shapes with the cheese. Begin to press the almonds at a slight angle into the cheese, starting at the narrow end of the pine cone shape.
- Do this in rows, continuing to overlap rows until all the cheese is covered. Garnish with fake sprigs, or real ones, or with rosemary.
- Serve at room temperature and spread on crackers.
QUICK & CHRISTMAS PINE CONE CHEESE APPETIZER
Steps:
- The pine cone shape has directions for Christmas but this is also a wonderful treat for the kids lunches, after school or anytime. You can make it without the almonds, and simply place it in a nice bowl, on on a plate. Try topping it with chopped parsley,or fresh herbs of your choice. My company is crazy about this , little do they know how easy it is to prepare . It tasts like you have added a lot of ingredients, but it is simple enough to make last minute if company drops in.
PINECONE-SHAPED SPREAD
Spreading Christmas cheer is deliciously simple with this holiday novelty. Originally my mother's recipe, it always gets raves.
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Appetizers
Time 15m
Yield 1-1/2 cups.
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- In a bowl, combine the cream cheese, mayonnaise, bacon, onion, dill and pepper; chill. Form into two pinecone shapes on a serving platter. Beginning at the narrow end of each shape, arrange almonds in overlapping rows. Garnish with rosemary if desired. Serve with crackers or vegetables.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 236 calories, Fat 23g fat (6g saturated fat), Cholesterol 26mg cholesterol, Sodium 152mg sodium, Carbohydrate 4g carbohydrate (1g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 6g protein.
Tips:
- Select the Right Pine Cones: Choose pine cones that are large and open, with sturdy scales. Avoid cones that are too small or have loose scales, as they will not hold the cheese well.
- Clean the Pine Cones: Before using, clean the pine cones thoroughly to remove any dirt or debris. You can do this by rinsing them under running water and then letting them air dry.
- Use High-Quality Cheese: The type of cheese you use will greatly affect the flavor of your appetizer. Choose a cheese that is firm enough to hold its shape when melted, but not too hard that it becomes difficult to eat.
- Experiment with Different Herbs and Spices: To add extra flavor to your pine cone cheese bites, experiment with different herbs and spices. Some popular choices include garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper.
- Serve Immediately: Pine cone cheese bites are best served immediately after they are made. This will ensure that the cheese is still melted and gooey.
Conclusion:
Pine cone cheese appetizers are a unique and festive way to celebrate the Christmas season. They are easy to make and can be customized to your own taste preferences. With their delicious flavor and eye-catching appearance, these appetizers are sure to be a hit at your next holiday party.
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